Summer Camp in Science Center, Sayla 2018

A 4-day summer camp was organized in the Science Center in Sayla, between 18th and 21stApril.  Forty-five students from 7 schools participated in the program which consisted of over 60 different activities including science experiments, paper models, activities to demystify maths and mathematical equations, audio-visual presentation about the planets and solar system. 

In an informative and inspiring speech, project director of Prem Ni Parab project, Shri Chandrakantbhai Vyas encouraged the students to weave science into their daily lives, supporting his speech by giving many examples.  Principals and teachers  from many other schools were also present to encourage and teach the students, who were given certificates of participation at the end of the course

Buttermilk and Ready-made Garments distribution in Sayla

Since the last 25 years buttermilk distribution has been organized by Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla during the blistering summer months.  This year too many free buttermilk-distribution camps in 18 villages including Sayla, Sudamana, Chotila, Dhandhalpur, Dhajara, Chorvira were set up and have distributed over 3,000 liters of buttermilk.  This year ready-made garments were also distributed in a joint initiative with Arpana Foundation.

Each day over 200 poor villagers queued up to receive their share of the nourishing drink and garments. These camps start their distribution activities from mid-April, going on until mid or end of June, with volunteers distributing the buttermilk every single day for 3 months.  About 8,600 families have been benefiting from this noble initiative. 

Young women tested for Thalassemia free-of-cost

Over 200 young women were screened for Thalassaemia in a community health fair organised by Raj Saubhag Ashram Sayla and Indian Red Cross Society, Ahmedabad.  It is important for individuals to be aware of their thalassemia trait status, particularly individuals of reproductive age. Depending on the haemoglobin type of a current or future partner, future children may be at risk for thalassaemia disease or other related haemoglobin diseases. It has been often debated about how the time was right to have a national Thalassemia policy in India. The first case of thalassaemia in India was reported in 1938 and every year about 10,000 children with thalassemia major are born in India, according to a report published in the Hindu.

The Thalasseamia and Sickle Cell Prevention health fair was organised for young women of marriageable age as part of a Control and Research Programme in the premises of L M Vora College of Arts and Commerce, Sayla.

The event was featured in the local newspapers.

Three aid and equipment Support Camps for the disabled in Verawal, Thara and Dhanera

Support Camp 1

Location: Veraval

On 23rd of December 2017, Mumbai-based donors Varjivandas Shah family and Raj Saubhag Ashram organized an aid and equipment support camp for the disabled in Verawal.

A total of 405, disabled people were provided wheelchairs, tricycles, artificial limbs, hearing aids, calipers and educational kit for the mentally challenged pupils, and other equipment to help them cope with on-going or recurring physical disabilities.  All equipment was given free of cost.

In the first week of November 2017, 9 volunteers from Ashirwad Trust for the Disabled, Sayla surveyed 40 villages, distributed pamphlets, encouraged people to have their disabilities assessed during two diagnostic camp held in Shri Shantinath Jain Derasar on the 16th-17th of November and Navdurga Mataji Mandir in the last week of November.  The volunteers required 9 days to reach most of the families in these 40 villages.

Doctors then arrived a fortnight after the survey team finished the initial task.  During the diagnostic camp, the patients were assessed and their requirements noted.

On the 23rd of December, the entire support staff, doctors, volunteers and donors arrived to ensure that the equipment was handed over to the patient and he/she was advised about usage of the equipment.  Among the equipment distributed were tricycles, wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, crutches, C P walkers, hearing aids, surgical shoes and educational kits.

Support camps for the disabled have been known to provide immense relief to patients twice-cursed – by disease and by poverty.

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Support Camp 2

Location: Thara 

A total of 127 villages like Kankarej, Radhanpur, Harij, and Disa from Patan Zilla were surveyed and 400 people were shortlisted at the diagnostic camp and 322 disabled poor people were given aids and appliances according to their needs.

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Support Camp 3

Location – Dhanera, Banakantha, Palanpur

Several Indian families living in the UK chose to sponsor a support camp for the disabled in Banakantha. Heavy floods, where 10-feet deep water collected in residential areas, causing heavy monetary loss and damage to property and equipment, had struck this region earlier.

Volunteers from Ashirwad Trust for the Disabled, Sayla surveyed Disa, Dantiwada, Lakhani and Tharad talukas.  Diagnostic camps were held in Shri Ramchandra Savrajbhai Shah Hospital

Over 404 disabled people were provided wheelchairs, tricycles, artificial limbs, hearing aids among others.  A month before the actual camp was to be held; about 55-60 villages were surveyed by 7 volunteers, who camped in the region for a week. Following a standard operating procedure, the diagnostic camp was held about a fortnight after the survey team completed their assignment.  The doctors shortlisted the patients and their requirements, and the final support camp is organized in the presence of donors.

Raj Saubhag Ashram thanks donors – Dr. Bhupenbhai and Neetaben Mehta, Nanalal Katariya, Kantaben Katariya, Bhanumati Kataria, Satishbhai Katariya, and Laxmiben and Manjuben Popat family for supporting such a noble cause.

Ashirvad Banaskantha Mobility Camp

Distribution of Mobility Appliances to Flood Victims in Banaskantha & Patan Districts

29th August 2017

The late monsoon rainfalls in India have been very heavy and have taken their toll in several states of India. North Gujarat and particularly, Banas Kantha has suffered from severe flooding.

Blind People’s Association along with with Shree Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal and support from the social workers from Palanpur had surveyed 127 villages from the Patan and Banaskantha districts’ (talukas of Kankrej, Radhanpur, Haarij and Disa). They examined the appliances distributed previously by Raj Saubhag to about 400 disabled persons, 315 of them were deemed to require replacement appliances which included tricycles, wheel chairs, crutches callipers, mobility sticks etc.

The mobility appliance distribution took place at Thara, in Kankrej Taluka of Banaskantha District on Tuesday 29th August.  Param Pujya Bhaishree and Pujya Vikrambhai had graced the occasion. Smt Nandiniben Raval, Executive Director BPA, had hosted the distribution program.   

The total cost of the 315 appliances and 7 education kits was almost Rs 14 lacs. Raj Saubhag India had contributed Rs 5 lacs and Raj Saubhag UK Rs 2 lacs towards the total cost.

Shree Raj Saubhag is planning another mobility appliance distribution camp in Banakantha district in January 2018.

Foodgrain distribution to the needy in Sudan

Raj Saubhag Ashram mumukshu, Ashokbhai Parekh sponsored and organized foodgrain distribution drive to the needy in Sudan, in cooperation with volunteers from Arham Group (mumukshus of Pujya Namra Muni) and a local Sudanese NGO.  His wife, Parulben also wholeheartedly supported and participated in the distribution drive.

A total of 2,700 cartons were distributed in various regions in the suburbs of capital city Khartoum and Omdurman. Beneficiaries consisted of previously identified needy families, who expressed gratitude and gave heartfelt blessings on receiving their precious gifts.  Among the benefactors were 50 blind people.

Wheat, flour, lentils, dal, rice, sugar, chickpeas, dates, fruit drink powder and sunflower oil were distributed to individual families in their homes by volunteers who cheerfully worked long hours in the extremely hot climate.

The governor of Omdurman City and President of Omdurman Indian Community were present to witness this humanitarian activity, which was covered by the local news channels, radio stations and newspapers.

Ashokbhai Parekh said: “This activity was carried out under the grace of our Guru, Pujya Bhaishree.  His inspiration and his krupa inspired us to serve our fellow beings.”

We rise by lifting others - Seva activity by Raj Saubhag Dubai Mumukshus

On a warm morning of 12th May, 43 enthusiastic volunteers gathered in Sajja labour camp in Sharjah to distribute to 450 + 50 (total beneficiaries 500) labourers - rice, sugar, dal, dry fruits, dates, biscuits, t-shirts and caps.  This was part of the seva activity undertaken bymumukshus on a regular basis.  Surging ahead the labourers gratefully received their share, smiling widely on receiving the precious gifts. 

A total of 1500 kilos of foodgrains, 225 kilos of dates, 50 kilos of nuts and dried fruits were repackaged into individual bags and distributed.  The task of repackaging took 3 days, and volunteers participated in the entire process wholeheartedly and selflessly, fully aware that the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.


We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone